Chinese demand for Chilean salmon is practically zero after Beijing raised concerns about Covid-19 risks in imported seafood, according to industry group Salmon Chile. Even though Chinese officials indicated there were no official restrictions on Chilean salmon, consumers in the Asian nation remain wary after authorities initially traced an outbreak of the virus to a chopping board used by a seller of imported fish. Those fears are set to grow after the detection this week of Covid-19 in Ecuadorian shrimp, Salmon Chile President Arturo Clement said. Most authorities and health experts say there’s no evidence that food can transmit the virus. There has been a psychosis with the issue, therefore Chinese demand went to zero and hasn’t recovered, he said in an interview Friday.There’s confusion in the market, which causes people to stop consuming seafood.
2019 Bloomberg L.P.